Potential Witness Against Bulger Found Dead

Former Liquor-Store Owner Said Alleged Gangster Forced Him to Sell

BOSTON—A former liquor-store owner who had planned to testify at the trial of James "Whitey" Bulger after claiming the alleged gangster had muscled him out of his business almost 30 years ago was found dead, authorities said Thursday.

The body of Stephen "Stippo" Rakes, 59 years old, was discovered Wednesday in Lincoln, a suburb of Boston, the Middlesex County District Attorney's Office said. There were no obvious...